I love the scriptures. I love the way they feel, the way they smell, the way they teach and the way they make me feel the Spirit. I love the complexity of Isaiah, and the plainness of Nephi.
Today as I was flipping through my scriptures I came across the Book of Moses, chapter 1. I love reading about God's interactions with His children. He spoke with Moses, face to face - how would that be? First he clarified who He is (like there was a chance Moses couldn't have known!), then he makes sure Moses understands their relationship: "thou art my son." What a loving Father!
Then He says something that struck me tonight. Immediately after establishing their Father/son relationship, God says to Moses, "look, and I will show thee..." He doesn't put it all out there for Moses. He requires something of him first: Look. Then, if he looks, he will see something wonderful.
I know that Heavenly Father has things to show each of us, marvelous things, if we but look when He asks. It almost sounds too easy, doesnt' it? Well, that's what the Israelites thought when they were told to look at the serpent and they will be healed. Many didn't because it was too easy.
I wonder how many times in my life my Father has has something to show me, and he has gently, through the Spirit, said, "Michelle, look." How often did I look? How often did I not? I don't know. But what I do know is that I have a renewed determination to look; look to Him, look for the inspiration through the Spirit, look for the beauty in life- just look. I am eager to see what other marvelous things He has to show me.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
And We're Back!
I feel like I am returning the show after an all-too-long commercial break! I have let life get in the way of life, but now I am back to my first love- writing about the Gospel. I hope to see you come around more and share your feelings, too.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Another Testament
I love the Book of Mormon. It truly is another testament of our Savior.
There is is new Reflections of Christ slide show, called "Another Testament of Christ."
It is a beautifully arranged visual representation of what it might have been like when the Savior visited the American Continent after his resurrection, as recorded in 3 Nephi, of the Book of Mormon.
Be sure you have some tissue nearby. It's a beautiful video.
There is is new Reflections of Christ slide show, called "Another Testament of Christ."
It is a beautifully arranged visual representation of what it might have been like when the Savior visited the American Continent after his resurrection, as recorded in 3 Nephi, of the Book of Mormon.
Be sure you have some tissue nearby. It's a beautiful video.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Just Feel Your Way
The missionaries were at my home the other day, teaching my friend and her four children about The Restoration. The missionaries were trying to explain The Apostasy i terms the children would understand. They likened the darkness of night while camping to the Apostasy, and a flashlight, or fire, to the gospel. The elders asked the youngest child, an eight-year-old girl, how she would find her way around in the dark. She looked up and simply said, "I would just feel my way."
How profound, I thought. The little girl, no doubt, had visions of outstretched hands grasping at camping chairs and tent doors to find direction, but her comment made me think of something more than that.
In the darkness, we feel to get around. When the light isn't as bright as we hoped, when direction isn't as clear as we would like, when life seems darker than what we are comfortable with, we are just plain having a hard time seeing- we can feel our way.
The darkness we might experience at times can be brought upon by sin, choices and circumstances. But, even when the darkness seems to heavy for us to see, Heavenly Father can still show us the way through the Holy Ghost: We can feel the promptings of the Spirit, even when we see no way out.
I looked at that little girl, who, by this point was laying on the ground playing with her stuffed giraffe, oblivious of the gem of wisdom she just shared, and I was moved. Out of the mouth of babes. I was so ready to teach them something, and yet I was the one that was moved.
Most times I am good, really good. But, what about the times when I am might not be? Well, I will quote a very wise eight-year-old girl and say, "I would just feel my way."
How profound, I thought. The little girl, no doubt, had visions of outstretched hands grasping at camping chairs and tent doors to find direction, but her comment made me think of something more than that.
In the darkness, we feel to get around. When the light isn't as bright as we hoped, when direction isn't as clear as we would like, when life seems darker than what we are comfortable with, we are just plain having a hard time seeing- we can feel our way.
The darkness we might experience at times can be brought upon by sin, choices and circumstances. But, even when the darkness seems to heavy for us to see, Heavenly Father can still show us the way through the Holy Ghost: We can feel the promptings of the Spirit, even when we see no way out.
I looked at that little girl, who, by this point was laying on the ground playing with her stuffed giraffe, oblivious of the gem of wisdom she just shared, and I was moved. Out of the mouth of babes. I was so ready to teach them something, and yet I was the one that was moved.
Most times I am good, really good. But, what about the times when I am might not be? Well, I will quote a very wise eight-year-old girl and say, "I would just feel my way."
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Perfectly Imperfect
I have a new love in my life: J. Golden Kimball. He passed away in 1938, so I don't beleive my husband will feel threatened at all. I think my affinity towards him stems from a kinship I feel with his perspective and personality.
I was reading a book of quotes by him today and I read: "I acknowledge that I am imperfect, and no one is more sorry that I am. I have made mistakes, blunders, but I have faith in God, and I know God will forgive a man who repents."
It struck a chord in my soul so deep that I found myself misty-eyed. It is easy for me to understand the Gospel, share it, teach it and love it. But, this does not give me immunity from struggling just like everyone esle to live the perfect principles therein. I am imperfect: I make mistakes,I have weaknesses and faults. I struggle to reconcile my imperfect nature with the Celestial Gospel principles I know and love.
But, I also know, like my good friend J. Golden, that God will forgive a man, and woman, who repents. In Ether chapter 12 of the Book of Mormion we learn there is also more: "If men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness....then will I make weak things become strong unto them." Not only will He forgive me as I repent, but if I go to Him in humility, willing to see my weakness, He will make be strong. That scripture offers the greatest hope for broken people like me.
I am imperfect- but through Him, I will overcome my weakness until I am perfect. I won't reach that until far into the next stage, but for here and now, I find joy in the fact that I am a broken, imperfect person. The joy comes from the knowledge that my imperfect state is temporary, that the road to perfection is walked with my Savior and God by my side, and that I am loved just the same. I am not just imperfect, I am perfectly imperfect.
I was reading a book of quotes by him today and I read: "I acknowledge that I am imperfect, and no one is more sorry that I am. I have made mistakes, blunders, but I have faith in God, and I know God will forgive a man who repents."
It struck a chord in my soul so deep that I found myself misty-eyed. It is easy for me to understand the Gospel, share it, teach it and love it. But, this does not give me immunity from struggling just like everyone esle to live the perfect principles therein. I am imperfect: I make mistakes,I have weaknesses and faults. I struggle to reconcile my imperfect nature with the Celestial Gospel principles I know and love.
But, I also know, like my good friend J. Golden, that God will forgive a man, and woman, who repents. In Ether chapter 12 of the Book of Mormion we learn there is also more: "If men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness....then will I make weak things become strong unto them." Not only will He forgive me as I repent, but if I go to Him in humility, willing to see my weakness, He will make be strong. That scripture offers the greatest hope for broken people like me.
I am imperfect- but through Him, I will overcome my weakness until I am perfect. I won't reach that until far into the next stage, but for here and now, I find joy in the fact that I am a broken, imperfect person. The joy comes from the knowledge that my imperfect state is temporary, that the road to perfection is walked with my Savior and God by my side, and that I am loved just the same. I am not just imperfect, I am perfectly imperfect.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Who's Counting?
Last year I decided to do an experiment. I went through my Book of Mormon and highlighted in blue all the references to God and Jesus Christ. It took a full day. I was amazed and moved at color that filled my scriptures, and the beautiful titles of love and respect that adorned my book: God, the Eternal Father, Father, Eternal God, Supreme Being, Holy God, Most High God, Lord God Almighty Jesus Christ, Savior, Lord, Christ, Only Begotten of the Father, the Holy One, Son of God, Holy Child and Redeemer, just to name a few.
There are 531 pages in the printed Book of Mormon. I counted pages that were touched with blue- 504 pages! There are only 27 pages in pages in the Book of Mormon that do not contain a reference to God and Jesus Christ- most of them in Alma, the war pages. Is it any wonder that it is called Another Testament of Jesus Christ?
To flip through my scriptures with a sea of blue moves me. My testimony of the Book of Mormon came by prayer and through the Holy Ghost. But, this experience has helped to strengthen my testimony of the mission of this perfect book: to testify of Jesus Christ.
Those that wrote the book truly rejoiced in Christ. They looked to God for protection and guidance; they looked to their Savior for redemption from sin. They recorded their dealings with God and each other as testimony to us today.
504 pages of blue. Who's counting? Me.
There are 531 pages in the printed Book of Mormon. I counted pages that were touched with blue- 504 pages! There are only 27 pages in pages in the Book of Mormon that do not contain a reference to God and Jesus Christ- most of them in Alma, the war pages. Is it any wonder that it is called Another Testament of Jesus Christ?
To flip through my scriptures with a sea of blue moves me. My testimony of the Book of Mormon came by prayer and through the Holy Ghost. But, this experience has helped to strengthen my testimony of the mission of this perfect book: to testify of Jesus Christ.
Those that wrote the book truly rejoiced in Christ. They looked to God for protection and guidance; they looked to their Savior for redemption from sin. They recorded their dealings with God and each other as testimony to us today.
504 pages of blue. Who's counting? Me.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Garage Sales and Missionary Work
So, I had my first garage sale this weekend. I'll admit, part of it was exciting. I loved seeing the joy that the things that I had loved brought to someone else. But, on the other hand, I hated the rejection. Garage sales are not for the tender-hearted.
On the first day of the two day sale, I stayed out for only three hours. There were some who stopped and looked around, some bought, some bartered and some left with nothing. It was interesting to watch each person. I wondered how many were looking for something specific, and how many were just out to find a great deal on whatever.
What I didn't like were the people who didn't even get out of their cars. They would slow down and look at my spread from the comfort of their cars. Then they would just keep driving! I hate rejection in any form! I'll admit, I am a proud person and it was hard not to take it personally. I mean, really! Why wouldn't the things that had brought me so much happiness were deemed unworthy by those who could not even get a close enough look to see their true value.
Member missionary work is a lot like a garage sale. We have something that has brought us great joy. We set it out there for others to partake. Some stop and look around, some listen, and some leave with nothing. There are others who aren't even willing to stop and listen. They slow down enough to judge at a distance, and take off. Yes, there are a lot of similarities.
I stayed out only three hours that first day because, honestly, I just got tired of people driving by. It sounds silly, but it was hard not to take it personally. I hate rejection in all forms! So, I packed up after three hours did laundry instead.
The next day I tapped into my reservoir of inner strength and laid all of my things out again. I managed to stay out the full seven hours. There were still those people that drove right on by, but this day I concentrated more on the people that stopped to look. I struck up conversations, learned about them and shared stories and information about the items I was passing on. It was interesting to note that when I got to know people, they stayed longer. They were also more apt to take something home with them when they understood the value and sentimentality of it. It became something of value, not just something.
Again, it is the same with sharing the gospel. When you get to know people, strike up conversations and learn about them, they will want to get to know you too. When you share stories about how the gospel has helped you, and you share your testimony, they are more apt to bring it into their lives. They begin to see the Gospel as something of value, not just something.
At the end of the second day, I had a few things left. I put up a big sign that said, "All Free." A lovely family pulled up.
"Really, all free?" they asked.
"Yes, all free."
I watched this family grab and take almost everything. I'm not even sure if they wanted it. I guess things look more attractive when there is no personal cost (that's a great idea for another post!) I started to feel a little annoyed, until I turned around and noticed their little girl. She must have been seven or eight. She was holding up the basket I had filled with stuffed animals. She was going to take them all. The look on her face was priceless. She stood there, holding up this heavy basket, grinning from ear to ear. I could tell by their appearance and vehicle that they didn't have a lot of money. It must have been a neat experience for her to have something given to her. I felt good.
That experience with the young girl made the two days of rejection worth it. She was happy, down to her core. She held the stuffed animals and giggled. I knew she would love them.
D&C 18:15 reads, "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!"
We are commanded to be a light on the hill, to be the watchmen, to spread the Gospel. It is not easy, yet the Lord has saved this work for the small and simple (that would mean that I definitely qualify!) There will be rejection. But, when you meet that one person (hopefully more!) that stops long enough to talk, which listens and learns and decides to take the Gospel home- it will all be worth it.
I don’t' know when I will hold a garage sale again. But I do know when I will be a missionary; today, tomorrow, and every day after that. I know I will be rejected. But, I also know that there will be a time when that one person will hear the Gospel and feel the Spirit. And when they accept the Gospel, they will smile from ear to ear, and they will love it. And I will feel good.
On the first day of the two day sale, I stayed out for only three hours. There were some who stopped and looked around, some bought, some bartered and some left with nothing. It was interesting to watch each person. I wondered how many were looking for something specific, and how many were just out to find a great deal on whatever.
What I didn't like were the people who didn't even get out of their cars. They would slow down and look at my spread from the comfort of their cars. Then they would just keep driving! I hate rejection in any form! I'll admit, I am a proud person and it was hard not to take it personally. I mean, really! Why wouldn't the things that had brought me so much happiness were deemed unworthy by those who could not even get a close enough look to see their true value.
Member missionary work is a lot like a garage sale. We have something that has brought us great joy. We set it out there for others to partake. Some stop and look around, some listen, and some leave with nothing. There are others who aren't even willing to stop and listen. They slow down enough to judge at a distance, and take off. Yes, there are a lot of similarities.
I stayed out only three hours that first day because, honestly, I just got tired of people driving by. It sounds silly, but it was hard not to take it personally. I hate rejection in all forms! So, I packed up after three hours did laundry instead.
The next day I tapped into my reservoir of inner strength and laid all of my things out again. I managed to stay out the full seven hours. There were still those people that drove right on by, but this day I concentrated more on the people that stopped to look. I struck up conversations, learned about them and shared stories and information about the items I was passing on. It was interesting to note that when I got to know people, they stayed longer. They were also more apt to take something home with them when they understood the value and sentimentality of it. It became something of value, not just something.
Again, it is the same with sharing the gospel. When you get to know people, strike up conversations and learn about them, they will want to get to know you too. When you share stories about how the gospel has helped you, and you share your testimony, they are more apt to bring it into their lives. They begin to see the Gospel as something of value, not just something.
At the end of the second day, I had a few things left. I put up a big sign that said, "All Free." A lovely family pulled up.
"Really, all free?" they asked.
"Yes, all free."
I watched this family grab and take almost everything. I'm not even sure if they wanted it. I guess things look more attractive when there is no personal cost (that's a great idea for another post!) I started to feel a little annoyed, until I turned around and noticed their little girl. She must have been seven or eight. She was holding up the basket I had filled with stuffed animals. She was going to take them all. The look on her face was priceless. She stood there, holding up this heavy basket, grinning from ear to ear. I could tell by their appearance and vehicle that they didn't have a lot of money. It must have been a neat experience for her to have something given to her. I felt good.
That experience with the young girl made the two days of rejection worth it. She was happy, down to her core. She held the stuffed animals and giggled. I knew she would love them.
D&C 18:15 reads, "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!"
We are commanded to be a light on the hill, to be the watchmen, to spread the Gospel. It is not easy, yet the Lord has saved this work for the small and simple (that would mean that I definitely qualify!) There will be rejection. But, when you meet that one person (hopefully more!) that stops long enough to talk, which listens and learns and decides to take the Gospel home- it will all be worth it.
I don’t' know when I will hold a garage sale again. But I do know when I will be a missionary; today, tomorrow, and every day after that. I know I will be rejected. But, I also know that there will be a time when that one person will hear the Gospel and feel the Spirit. And when they accept the Gospel, they will smile from ear to ear, and they will love it. And I will feel good.
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